In a Lithium-ion battery, the lithium ions are stored in the negative electrode (anode) during the charging. However, as time passes, the electrolyte, where the ions Li⁺ move back and forth between the electrodes, reacts with the anode. The corrosion products trap more and more ions Li⁺, therefore gradually limiting the storage capacity of the accumulator.

The manufacturers mitigate the adverse effects by operating the batteries according to well-established protocols, during several days or weeks. This way, they produce a controlled and ideal corrosion layer before the first use.

Iramis researchers have had the idea to irradiate a carbon nanoparticles anode with gamma rays, and analyze the corrosion it produced. They were surprised to find corrosion products similar to those produced by industrials during their electrochemical preparation. After they incorporated these pre-irradiated anodes to a battery, an increased storage capacity of ions (+170%) is observed. Irradiation thus allow us to be free from the long protocols currently used.